Chief Advancement Officer

Position Overview

The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) for the College of Engineering serves as the head fundraiser for the college, leading all development, alumni relations and donor experience activities. The CAO creates and leads the strategy to identify, develop and maintain a robust pipeline of donors to the college through strategic direction of a large team of experienced professionals.

The CAO will be responsible for managing their own portfolio of major and principal level prospects and driving continued growth in the college’s annual fundraising efforts. They will work closely with the Dean to align fundraising priorities with the college’s strategic vision and goals.

The CAO will also create partnerships with college leadership to advance the culture of philanthropy among college chairs and directors, faculty and staff. Additionally, they will build effective relationships with central Advancement leadership to facilitate the fundraising agenda. Utilizing these relationships, they will provide counsel and guidance to align college strategies and priorities to compelling fundraising opportunities with high-impact prospects.

The CAO reports to the Associate Vice President of Development.

This position is based in Columbus, Ohio and does require flexible hours and frequent travel.

About the College of Engineering

Since The Ohio State University was born in 1870, engineering has been central to its land grant mission. Then and now, Buckeye Engineers make the world a better place. Ohio State Engineering is where education, discovery and economic development collaborate to innovate.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 50% Provides leadership and creates the strategy to identify and develop a robust pipeline of donors; supervises and directs development professionals across multiple areas; conducts prospect strategy sessions; advocates for area with regard to resources in order to accomplish goals; works to build cohesiveness within advancement and across units to enhance overall fundraising for Ohio State. Cultivates strong bonds with alumni, donors and volunteers; oversees the development and management of all alumni events and activities; recruits, trains and inspires alumni leaders and volunteers; engages students to establish a foundation of support and loyalty to the College of Engineering for future development opportunities beyond graduation. Recruits, trains, evaluates, motivates, and coaches employees of various backgrounds and identities; establishes and monitors goals, provides performance feedback and coaching, and supports professional development; completes annual performance management procedures; manages performance issues; is responsible for using independent, consistent and fair judgement in exercising authority; develops procedures, assigns and prioritizes work, and ensures that the resources needed to accomplish work are provided.
• 20% Works in close partnership with the Dean in aligning fundraising priorities with the college’s vision and goals. Builds effective relationships with college and advancement leadership; provides counsel and guidance to align college strategies and priorities to compelling fundraising opportunities with high-impact prospects. Communicates the college’s vision, goals and accomplishments to alumni and donors; develops a strategy that allows the College of Engineering to build, grow and sustain an engaged alumni network that can be leveraged in order to increase the alumni giving rate; serves as a catalyst for the College of Engineering volunteer engagement. Develops and executes stewardship strategies to strengthen donor relationships.
• 20% Builds/maintains a robust prospect group, serving as prospect manager for major donors at $500,000 and above; responsible for strategy, cultivation and solicitation of leadership and principal gift donors with a capacity for gifts of $1,000,000 and above.
• 10% Serves as a key member of fundraising leadership in advancement and the college and completes other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Twelve years of professional fundraising experience, including experience in alumni and donor relations.
• Five years of management experience.

Desired Qualifications

• At least twelve years of professional fundraising experience raising the highest level of philanthropic gifts at an organization (Preferably six and seven figures and above).
• At least twelve years of professional fundraising experience in a complex higher education environment.
• Experience overseeing alumni relations, donor relations, and stewardship.
• Experience overseeing and providing strategic direction to multiple teams or units within a development organization.
• Seven years of management experience.